Trifolium wormskioldii is a species of cloverTrifolium wormskioldii. The Nature Conservancy. native to the western half of North America. Its common names include cows clover, coast clover, sand clover, seaside clover, springbank clover, and Wormskjold's clover.
Description Trifolium wormskioldii, a legume, is a perennial herb sometimes taking a matlike form, with decumbent or upright stems. The leaves are made up of leaflets measuring long. The lower stipules are tipped with bristles and the upper stipules may be toothed.
The rounded inflorescences are wide. The sepals are bristle-tipped. The corollas are pinkish purple or magenta with white tips.
Etymology The species was given its scientific name in honour of the Danish botanist Morten Wormskjold.Charters, M. L. "wormskioldii". California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations.
Distribution and habitat This plant is native to the western half of North America from Alaska, through California, to Mexico. It is a perennial herb that grows in many locales, from beaches to mountain ridges, below about in elevation.Jepson T. wormskioldii
Habitats it grows in include chaparral, oak woodland, grassland, yellow pine forest, red fir forest, lodgepole forest, subalpine forest, and wetland−riparian.
Uses Many Native American groups of western North America use this clover for food. The herbage and flowers are eaten raw, sometimes salted. The roots are commonly steamed or boiled and eaten with fish, fish eggs, and fish grease.Trifolium wormskioldii. Native American Ethnobotany. University of Michigan, Dearborn.
This species is host to the caterpillar of the Western cloudywing butterfly (Thorybes diversus).Thorybes diversus. Butterflies and Moths of North America.
Propagation The seeds germinate at 75F without the need for cold treatment or other dormancy breaking mechanism.
References
External links
Calflora Database: Trifolium wormskioldii (Coast clover, Cow clover, Springbank clover) Jepson Manual eFlora (TJM2) treatment of Trifolium wormskioldii USDA Plants Profile: Trifolium wormskioldii (cows clover) UC CalPhotos gallery: Trifolium wormskioldii